Two prominent northern organisations, the Northern Elders Progressives Group and the Arewa Youths Coalition for Peace and Political Development, have called on General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of Niger Republic’s military government, to issue an apology for his allegations that Nigeria and France are conspiring to destabilize Niger.
Describing the accusations as “baseless” and “capable of overheating the polity” in both nations, the groups emphasized the long-standing history of friendship and collaboration between Nigeria and Niger.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna by Yusuf Abubakar, the convener of the groups’ eighth joint meeting, the organizations reiterated their full support for Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his commitment to regional peace and stability.
“We categorically deny the recent accusations against Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of conspiring with France to destabilize Niger, made by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, the Military Head of the Niger Republic,” the statement read.
The communiqué was jointly signed by Hon. Yusuf Abubakar (Convener), Alhaji Yasir Ramadan Kano (Youths Group), and Engr. Mustafa Aliyu Dutsin-Ma (Northern Elders Progressives Group).
The groups further urged the Nigerien military government to issue an immediate apology to Nigeria and desist from making inflammatory statements that could damage bilateral relations.
“We urge the president of Niger Republic to apologize to Nigeria immediately and cease causing tension and division between our two nations, which share a history of unity, respect, and mutual understanding,” the statement concluded.
